Effects of Sulphuric Acid and Cold Stratification Pretreatments on Germination of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Seeds

This study was carried out to determine the effects of some pretreatments including submersion in concentrate H2SO4 for 15 and 30 min, cold stratification (20, 40 and 60 days) and submersion in concentrate H2SO4 for 15 min with 60 day cold stratification on seed germination and to investigate how to overcome dormancy of Punica granatum (L.) seeds. The seeds were sown in polyethylene pots in greenhouse and on seedbeds under open field conditions. The statistical approach was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Germinated seeds were observed periodically during 90 days to determine germination percent and rates. Both the highest germination percent (84.8%) and the best germination rates (30 and 36 days) were obtained in seeds which were soaked in H2SO4 for 15 min with cold stratification for 60 days. While the lowest germination percent (6.9%) was determined from seeds that were soaked in H2SO4 for 30 min the slowest germination rate (71 days) were obtained in control seeds sown under open field conditions.